6 Months with Stars for Buttons
Happy 6 Months to the Stars for Buttons Bookclub!
June came and went, and I’m blown away. Stars for Buttons reached the half-way point in the year of books. And I’ve loved every moment of it. Thank you to everyone in our club--it’s been so much fun to get to know you, learn what you love about a good story, and also learn what you really don’t love.
We’ve shared adventures in Ireland, the American midwest, battled with fairies, went horseback riding with the Tudor family, made friends 100 years in the past, learned to write poetry to a whale, and nearly starved in the Marshlands with Daisy and cabbage soup.
I’m so grateful for these books, but I mostly want to celebrate the Stars for Buttons’ readers. They vote and choose these books together each month, answer questions and provide so much insight on our Middle Grade reads.
Below is a teeny blurb of each book we’ve read together this year and the rating each given--in stars, of course 😉
Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk
★★★★☆
Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk left me wanting a little bit more. It was a heart warming, important story that tackled difficult hardships and trauma I didn’t expect. Wolk writes a realistic family dynamic that learns to lean on one another no matter the disagreements and assumptions and lies.
Artemis Fowl by Eion Colfer
★★★★☆
Artemis Fowl by Eion Colfer was a welcomed and stark contrast to January’s read, Wolf Hollow. This Irish, fairy-tale adventure is the first book in a series of eight. I’m curious about our misbehaved protagonist, who diabolically strategizes kidnappings and thievery, and I’m more curious if our young Artemis grows up to be a Moriarty character of sorts.
Tangled in Time: The Portal
★★★☆☆
Tangled in Time: The Portal introduces readers to a newly orphaned teenager, Rose, sent to live with a grandmother she barely knows. In a new state, a new school, Rose navigates her grief while trying to develop new friendships, avoid bullies, and rekindle a dormant relationship with her grandmother, Rosemary. One night, however, she slips back in time to 16th century England, home of the Tudor period. Rose ventures from her time back to Tudor England, finding a lost connection to her past and her present.
The Ickabog by JK Rowling
★★★★★
The Ickabog by JK Rowling fairy-tales the ups and downs of a little kingdom known for their delicious pastries and overall good vibes. Childhood besties, Bert and Daisy, separated by tragedy, reunite and try to save their family, friends, and all of their kingdom Cornucopia from a nefarious monster, who is not exactly what we all expected.
The Secret Lake by Karen Inglis
★★★☆☆
The Secret Lake by Karen Inglis was one of our younger ranked reads. Stella and Tom were sweet children. It’s a short read, with a slower pace, but the friendships crafted in this story weaved with the time travel made a magical read.
Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly
★★★☆☆
Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly surprised me. Readers connect with a handy, tinkering, radio repairing Iris who happens to have a gift for feeling vibrations. She, however, battles each day with trouble communicating with the world around her. And when she learns of a whale that sings a song that no other whale can hear, she is off to craft a song for the whale that he can hear. This sweet story will warm your heart and open your eyes and ears to a whole new world.
And that wraps up six months of reading along with you, Stars for Buttons crew. Thank you so much for such a fun first half of the year. I’m already deep into our July Read. And can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the story at the end of the month.
For those interested in joining the book club, you can check out the FAQ and sign up for emails here.
You can read the full reviews of each book here.